In the Elite 8 of the MHSAA 5A playoffs, North Pike’s boys basketball team went toe-to-toe with top-seeded South Jones but ultimately lost in a close 44-43 affair on Friday in Poplarville.
Facing a familiar foe in the district rival Braves, the third-seeded Jaguars played them closer than they had in any game this season, but it just wasn’t enough in the end.
“My guys competed their butts off and stuck to the game plan, and for those reasons we had chances to win it,” head coach Terrell Anderson said. “It was a great atmosphere and I believe it’s something that will motivate the guys to get back to this point next year.”
Senior guard Quinterious Thompson paced North Pike with 15 points, while fellow senior Ahmad Matthews added six.
“Quinterious and Ahmaad made some big shots when we needed them, and we had a bunch of guys really show out defensively to slow down their best players,” Anderson explained.
The Jaguars finish their season with an 18-11 overall record and a 3-6 mark in district play.
“I’m super proud of my guys and would take them to battle against anyone, anywhere,” Anderson said. “My senior group was great to coach and we will definitely miss them, but we’re excited about next season.”
Lady Jaguars lose to top-seeded Laurel
Also in the Elite 8 of the MHSAA 5A playoffs, North Pike’s girls basketball team fell to top-seeded Laurel by a score of 54-31.
Facing a Golden Tornado squad that had only lost one game this season, the second-seeded Lady Jaguars had to play from behind for much of the night and were ultimately out-matched by Laurel’s frontcourt.
“We played hard but missed too many easy shots early in the game that kept us behind against a very talented group,” head coach Ron Kessler said. “Down 11 points at the half, we had to play a little more desperately in the second, and their size was the difference down the stretch.”
Junior guard DeAsia Hudson led the team with nine points, while sophomore guard Kadence Thompson tacked on seven.
The Lady Jaguars finish their season with a 22-6 overall record and a 7-2 mark in district play.
“With all but one player returning next season, the future looks very bright,” Kessler said. “I told my team after the game how proud I was of them, but also that we needed this disappointment and dissatisfaction in the moment to fuel us into the offseason and make an even deeper run next year.”
